Communication Support Specialist Communication Support Specialist Department: Day Services Job Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt Reports To: Director of Day Services Grade/Level: N/A Amount of Travel Required: 10% - 30% as needed Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (M – F) Positions Supervised: N/A Remote Position (Yes/No/Hybrid): No POSITION SUMMARY The Communication Support Coordinator will assist in developing and maintaining a “Culture of Communication” within the agency. The Communication Support Coordinator will also provide support to individuals who have been identified as needing additional support in developing and/or enhancing their communication skills. The staff person in this position will also serve as a liaison for the agency’s Communication Support Department. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable Accommodations Statement To perform this job successfully, the Communications Support Coordinator, must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Communication Support Coordinator Functions: Assess the communication needs of individuals through formal assessments, staff input, family input and direct observation. Attend ISP meetings as applicable. Coordinate and maintain record of all Assistive Technology (AT) devices and accessories. Create and maintain visual and tactile communication aides. Use Board Maker and other software programs to create AT picture insets, visual schedules and activity/outing communication aides. Program all AT devices to be used by individuals and staff. Provide training to individuals supported and their staff on the use of AT devices and individual specific communication systems/support plans. Develop reports that identify the communication progress of individuals supported. These reports shall include graphed data, a summary of the individual’s progress, recommendations for individual specific goals and additional supports needed. Develop reports that identify organization wide communication support progress. These reports shall provide detail on all communication support provided with respect to the agency’s strategic plan and information that is needed for grants (as applicable). POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Competency Statement(s) Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly. Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word. Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely. Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions. Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards. Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace. Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous. Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy. Safety Awareness - Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee and consumer safety. Tolerance - Ability to work successfully with a variety of people without making judgments. Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace. Conflict Resolution - Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation. Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task. Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations. Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas. Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers. Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems. SKILLS & ABILITIES Education: Qualified potential candidates will possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education, social work or a human services field other than social work. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, qualified potential candidates will have a minimum of 8 years-experience in supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Experience: Potential candidate must have experience working with various forms of technology. This includes but is not limited to programming devices (ie. iPad, android tablets, etc.), use of apps and tele-meeting platforms (ie. Zoom & Microsoft Teams). Minimum 2 years of experience assisting individuals with learning/enhancing their communication abilities and skills. Preferred Skill: Basic knowledge of and ability to communicate using American Sign Language. Computer Skills: Must be familiar with using a computer, Internet, conducting computer assisted research and tablets (ie. iPad & Android tablets). Must have working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications. Certificates & Licenses CPR/AED and First Aid certification, valid Georgia Driver's license; Transportation and Vehicle Emergency Evacuation training and De-escalation Techniques (QBS) certification within 90-days of employment. Other Requirements Must be 21 years old, able to pass a pre-employment physical and capable of lifting a minimum of 50 pounds; have a negative drug screening and a tuberculosis (TB) screening or X-Ray; and, have an acceptable motor vehicle record with no more than two moving violations in a three-year period within the last five years of a seven-year motor vehicle record report, vehicle liability insurance and an acceptable criminal record check. Must have reliable transportation. |